What It Means to Be a United Methodist-Related Institution
Updated Primer Provides History and Theology of United Methodist Church-Related Education
By Wendy R. Cromwell
The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) has released an updated version of What It Means to Be Related to a United Methodist Church with Education in Its DNA, reaffirming the church’s enduring commitment to church-related education. The primer gives United Methodist-related institutions in the U.S. a clear guide to understanding their United Methodist identity and advancing mission‑driven, high‑quality, accessible learning.
“Our schools are more than academic institutions; they are inclusive, diverse communities shaping ethical citizens who engage with the complex realities of society and participate in them, rather than retreat from them,” said Roland Fernandes, general secretary of GBHEM and Global Ministries. “This primer reaffirms why United Methodist–related education matters.”
The primer highlights core pillars of United Methodist education, including academic freedom, intercultural learning, social justice, interfaith engagement, and a holistic view of human dignity. It also underscores the strength of the UMC’s connectional system, which unites institutions through shared mission and values.
“United Methodist education plays a vital role in shaping compassionate, globally engaged persons,” said the Rev. Dr. Tammy Gieselman, director of education and executive secretary of the University Senate, who led the resource’s revision. “At a time when the church’s role in education is frequently misunderstood, our Wesleyan tradition recalls that holistic formation is embedded in our very identity, nurturing individuals who engage the world with empathy, wisdom, and care.
Rooted in John Wesley’s vision of uniting “knowledge and vital piety,” the church has spent centuries supporting schools, colleges, universities, and theological schools. Today, The United Methodist Church supports 104 institutions in the United States and Puerto Rico, continuing its mission to educate the whole person, mind, body, and spirit, and to expand access to equitable, excellent education.
What It Means to Be a United Methodist-related Institution is designed as a foundational resource for presidents, trustees, chaplains, faculty, church leaders, and campus communities. It offers a shared language, history, and framework for understanding and articulating the mission and value of United Methodist‑related education, along with additional tools to support educational institutions.
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I find peace in perspective. I also find strength, particularly when I feel overwhelmed. Perspective helps me understand that what is in front of me need not determine my fate. Japanese poet Nanao Sakaki said it best with his poem, "Break the Mirror."
